Official | Ko Itakura returns to Borussia Mönchengladbach

Official | Ko Itakura returns to Borussia Mönchengladbach Borussia Mönchengladbach have officially confirmed the return of Japanese international Ko Itakura from Ajax. The 29-year-old centre-back signs a contract through 2030 after spending just one season in Amsterdam. Kicker reports that Gladbach will pay an initial €3.5m, with bonuses potentially taking the deal to €4m. Ajax paid Gladbach a base fee of €10.5m for Itakura only last summer. Itakura made 80 competitive appearances and scored seven goals during his first three-year spell at Borussia-Park. The versatile defender established himself as a regular in central defense and also occasionally featured in defensive midfield. His single season at Ajax proved less successful. Kicker credits Itakura with 24 competitive appearances and one goal before the Japanese international opted to return to familiar surroundings. Itakura replaces Leeds-bound Nico Elvedi The timing of the transfer is hardly coincidental. Gladbach moved quickly after Nico Elvedi completed his €10m transfer to Leeds United , leaving an immediate vacancy alongside Kevin Diks in central defense. GGFN’s 2026/27 Borussia Mönchengladbach tactical preview had projected Elvedi and Diks as the first-choice pairing while noting the uncertainty surrounding the Swiss defender’s future. Itakura can now step directly into the position vacated by his former defensive partner. “We are very pleased that we have been able to sign a player who, in terms of quality and experience, corresponds exactly to the profile we were looking for following Nico Elvedi’s departure,” Schröder said. “I missed the club very much and, when the offer came, I immediately decided to return,” Itakura said. “For me, it feels like coming home again.” GGFN | Peter Weis